Eric Swalwell

Why Eric Swalwell was forced to quit California governor’s race after sexual misconduct allegations

From frontrunner to footnote, the congressman's gubernatorial hopes came crashing down over night

By Howard Kurtz Fox News

Published April 13, 2026 3:00am EDT

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Eric Swalwell faces multiple probes as Democrats demand action

‘The Big Weekend Show’ co-hosts discuss growing calls for Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., to drop out of the California gubernatorial race as new allegations of misconduct surface.

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Eric Swalwell was so close to becoming California’s governor that he was practically measuring the drapes.

And then, suddenly, it all came crashing down, thanks to his own egregious conduct.

Last night, after desperately trying to hang on, Swalwell suspended his campaign. He was delusional if he thought he could keep running. He finally faced the inevitable music. 

The Democratic congressman didn't have much choice. His own party, led by Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Adam Schiff and Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, was demanding that he drop out of the race. 

SWALWELL FACES EXPULSION EFFORT FOLLOWING BOMBSHELL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has suspended his campaign for governor. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

He was denying many of the specifics when it came to sexually abusing women on his staff, but his candidacy was clearly toast. His campaign chairman immediately resigned. The state teachers’ union withdrew its support. The service employees’ union suspended its campaign activities.

In a video Friday night, Swalwell seemed to soften his denials:

"I do not suggest to you in any way that I’m perfect or that I’m a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife and to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position."

Nobody’s buying that. When you’re a public figure with three children, it’s not just between you and your spouse. It’s also between you and the voters.

SWALWELL ATTORNEY DENIES MISCONDUCT, SAYS CONGRESSMAN TOOK ACCOUNTABILITY FOR 'LAPSES IN JUDGMENT'

Why,........

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